The library in Citrus County, Florida, wanted to buy a digital subscription to The New York Times. The county commission said no, because they’ve been listening to Donald Trump rather than their county’s librarians.
“Fake news, I agree with President Trump,” said Commissioner Scott Carnahan. “I don’t want the New York Times in this county. I don’t agree with it, I don’t like 'em, it’s fake news and I’m voting no. They can take that money and do something else with it ... I support Donald Trump.”
Commissioner Brian Coleman, who initially said that “I support President Trump. I would say they put stuff in there that’s not necessarily verified,” has since changed his tune, telling the Citrus County Chronicle that “Our decision should have been impartial, instead of having it become a personal thing.”
Donald Trump declares war on any outlet that reports information he finds inconvenient or unflattering, and that’s rippling out to deny access to that reporting to library patrons. At what point does creeping authoritarianism turn into galloping authoritarianism?